SSP is no joke! This program is difficult and I have learned that the hard way. The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging, yet enriching times of my life. Every day in SSP, we are presented with new variables to consider and new concepts to explore. Our minds are constantly stimulated as we are forced to contrive solutions to complex issues. It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed, and I myself have had moments where I felt so inundated by work that I wanted to give up. The thing about SSP though is that the environment is so collaborative and nurturing that it’s practically impossible to give up.
One aspect of SSP that definitely fosters this sense of community is the campus block. This is my favorite part of the day and never fails to put a smile on my face and give me the energy to keep moving forward. I’ve always viewed the campus blocks as a brief respite from the grueling work of SSP. They are quite literally the calm before the storm. In this case, the storm is of course the class activity block where Dr. Hall or Dr. Das (both of whom still intimidate me) teach us the underlying concepts and techniques of our research. So naturally, entering campus block this Friday, I was excited. Joining the zoom meeting, my expectations were high, I couldn’t wait to see what the faculty had in store for us SSPers. My mood completely changed when five minutes into campus block Dr. Hall announced we would all be taking a pop quiz to ensure that we had absorbed the necessary knowledge and skills during the first half of the program. When I looked at the first question I practically fainted. I was absolutely horrified and I honestly felt betrayed (what happened to the “no tests” policy??). Long story short, the test actually ended up being easier than I initially thought it would be ;).
After the test, we were put into breakout rooms to have casual discussions with one another. I thought I knew the majority of my fellow SSPers, but hearing so many random anecdotes I realized that I had only scratched the surface in my understanding. The beauty of SSP is that it brings people together from across the globe, creating a diverse community whose interests extend beyond science. Overall, the breadth of interests and passions within the SSP community is truly a testament to the fact that our differences can unite us.
